BATTERED WOMEN

Battered Women

It happens every day, and it’s a phenomenon that no one seems to understand. Battered women remain in abusive relationships no matter what happens to them, and friends and family often don’t even know what is going on. Perhaps someone who isn’t in the situation can’t understand why battered women don’t flee at the first signs of abuse, but as with anything, unless you are living it, you may not fully understand it.

There are many theories, and one of the most compelling is that battered women think that their tormentor will change. Perhaps some think they can change the other person, or that perhaps they deserve what is happening to them. I don’t know what to believe, but I am thankful that I am not one of them. Many cases of abuse end up with either the woman finally leaving, or with her death.

If you know any battered women, you have to try to help them. They may tell you it is none of your business, but you can’t let that stop you. Urge them to leave. Let them know you are there for them and that you aren’t giving up. Letting battered women know that you are there for them, and that they are better off alone, is sometimes the only thing you can do unless you witness the abuse firsthand. Though many battered women resist at first, if you stay on them, they may end up hearing you at last.

If you feel helpless, you can at least get information around to help battered women. There are shelters and hotlines for batter women, and many of them are round the clock, and can be reached in emergency situations. These shelters are in almost every community, but you may not know about them. This is for the protection of the women who must go there to escape a violent situation.

There are also legal recourses for battered women that can help with advice, and even may help provide money for a lawyer if needed. These resources can be free for abused women, and should be relied on if that’s what someone needs to get out of a dangerous living situation. If there are children involved, it is essential that you get the law on your side and have a good lawyer standing by. Have all of this information ready to go, and let a battered women know you have it if she needs it. That way, when she finally decides to go, you are ready to help, and things will move along swiftly.